Back in 2011, Chris Bjorklund, the Savvy Consumer, wrote the original version of this article. Kitchens have changed since then, but the sentiment is timeless: for those of us who live in the Bay Area, there simply isn’t room for space wasters in the kitchen. With that, read on to learn how to replace those space wasters with space savers.

Out: Kitchen desks

In her original post, Chris mentioned that the only family member to ever use her kitchen desk was the dog. Even in 2011, laptops and cellular devices were making traditional desks obsolete. Read more

California winters may be mild, but it’s still important to perform home winterization tasks in the fall. In our previous article, we covered exterior home winterization. In this segment, we’ll go over some interior maintenance steps to help you prepare your California home for winter. Read more

Whether you want to bring new life to a treasured heirloom or just freshen up your living room, reupholstering your furniture might be the answer.

It happens to all of us. The kitten sharpens his claws on your couch. A guest spills wine on your chair. Your once-lovely living room has turned dingy seemingly overnight. Whatever the cause, restoration is in order and it might be time to consider reupholstery. Here’s what you need to know.

When does it make sense to reupholster?

Reupholstering a piece of furniture isn’t about trying to get the cheapest deal; it’s about bringing new life to your favorite pieces. “If a piece of furniture is well-made and isn’t too damaged, Read more

How to Choose a Contractor for Your Home Improvement Project, in 8 Easy steps.

Today we’re republishing one of our most popular (and useful) posts from Joy Lanzaro, Director of Mediation & Compliance.

Here are eight steps you can take to hire a reputable remodeling contractor:

Obtain multiple bids (if possible). Getting multiple bids is a great way to ensure you’re making an informed choice. If you sign a contract, you have exactly three days to rescind in writing. Upon rescission, the contractor must return your deposit. If your area has been declared a disaster area, the three-day Right of Rescission extends to seven days.

Check license information. By law, anyone who undertakes to improve your home or property must have a contractor’s license if the cost from start to completion will exceed $500.

Solar panels are popular with homeowners seeking environmentally-friendly energy solutions. But the reality of choosing and installing solar panels gets a little complicated once homeowners start learning about all the options that are available. Below, we define commonly used terms in the solar industry, discuss the pros and cons of going off-grid, and answer some frequently asked questions regarding solar power. Read more

Today, we’re revisiting a subject important to anyone embarking on a home improvement project: how you can help streamline the process by being a good customer. Below, Greg Louie, CEO of American Ratings Corporation, discusses what you can do to help foster the success of any project.

How to Be Their Favorite Customer
When you work with a local company, it’s ultimately their responsibility to perform a thorough and complete job, but you play a big part in the success of your project, too. Here are a few simple steps you can take to be their favorite customer: